Grammy 5 :
**This article was in a Minneapolis newspaper “The Star Tribune” in 2000. **
Minnesota Somalis send millions back to East Africa
David Phelps, Dee DePass and Joy Powell
Star Tribune Staff Writers
Sunday, November 19, 2000
Copyright 2000 Star Tribune
Somali refugees in Minnesota have sent at least $75 million to East Africa, using banks to make large wire transfers that have drawn the attention of federal investigators, according to people familiar with the inquiry.
Mohamed Omar Muse sends money to his mother, brother and sister in-law in Kismaayo in Somalia.
Most of the money -- sent by individuals in chunks of $100 to $600 a month -- is humanitarian aid for people caught in the violence of a country ruled by warring clans, according to interviews with Somalis in the Twin Cities area. But some also say that an organized collection system exists in Minnesota to pressure Somalis into contributing small sums for guns and clan-based militias back home.
An average of $2 million a month now leaves Minnesota for Middle Eastern banks to be distributed in Somalia and in refugee camps in neighboring African countries, Somalis and sources familiar with the investigation said. They say the wire transfers have been as high as nearly $4 million a month.
Some Somalis point to a Muslim culture of giving and say they feel obligated to help family and friends left behind. To raise the money, many work multiple jobs and live in crammed apartments.
The money flow began at least four years ago, sources said, in amounts small enough not to attract immediate attention. Minneapolis police began investigating early last year, but decided to let federal authorities handle it.
The investigation by the FBI, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) centers on how the money is collected, where it goes and who donates. The investigation is said to be in an early stage.
U.S. authorities are concerned that some of the money may have been used for military purposes in the war-ravaged country.
Contributions in support of a terrorist organization are illegal if the donor knowingly gives money for a subversive purpose, said Mark Cange
2026-01-26 23:34:11